The stars glistened like diamonds within the nebula that swirled and flittered around and above the dome that encapsulated the asteroid. Though many planets glistened in the distance, some even shadowed over the small rock. Hera, the home planet of the Herans, was one of these. The huge astral body dwarfed the small space colony, leaving it in its almost perpetual shadow. A few more planets could be seen in the distance as though they were moons. It was truly a marvellous sight to behold, to see so many planets and stars and constellations from such a view to which would make even the most knowledgeable of astrologists cry with envy.
Yet for the people who lived on this floating piece of debris that orbited Hera, it was just an average everyday spectacle. The Herans here had grown accustomed to the lifestyle here ever since the day they had been banished from their home world. While there would have been those that would give anything to see what these Herans have seen, so too would they give anything to go back home, to see the blue-orange skies that drifted over their cities and fields and countrysides.
But now all they could do was to live and survive. Over time the scientists who had been banished here, who were once tasked with engineering the greatest Heran warriors, had turned their skills of bioengineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science from developing bio-weapons to creating a hospitable environment for themselves. From a barren asteroid that could sustain very little, these great scientists were able to terraform much of the surface to be able to sustain the smallest of life. Water was beginning to spring from deep beneath the surface, to provide nutrients to ever-growing plant life. Samples of animal DNA taken from Hera via scouting probes allowed for cattle and stock to be artificially produced to provide a sustainable source of food, along with modified crops that were able to grow in these drastically difference conditions. A huge bio-dome was constructed above the surface, designed to harness was little sunlight bathed over the asteroid to increase crop growth, as well as to keep in the oxygen.
Now the scientists had provided themselves with a place to live the rest of their days. They took so much pride in the work that they had done. Now this was their home.
Steam flooded the kitchen and heat engulfed the room as pots, pans and appliances crackled and simmered away, leaving the place not unlike that of a sauna. Several cooks stood around counters and table tops as they cooked and prepared the food for the rest of the people who worked at the laboratory. The smell of char grilled meat and boiled vegetable filled the atmosphere before being pulled through ventilators and extractor fans. Some lead to outside, while others went through ventilation systems around the laboratory, the steam being used to empower specially designed hydro-electric systems once they had condensed into water against the metal working inside the shafts.
Doctor Kyobu tended to spend some time here after she had taken it upon herself to raise Gaivahros from infancy. Being like a mother figure to him, she had to take it upon herself to feed and clothe him until he was old enough to do such things on his own, and yet it was these things that she enjoyed doing more so than science work that it became a hobby for her.
The doctor had her own work station, a separate room from the main kitchen that lead out into the farm fields nary but a few feet from the rear entrance. It had all that she needed in here, although most of it was but commercial appliances, and not nearly as sophisticated at the more industrial ones used in the main area.
Her lithe and gentle hands kneaded and rolled at a large ball of dough upon the counter, fingers digging and clawing as she pushed out and in with great force. Despite her slender feminine appearance and logistical background, she was incredibly strong for a Heran who was not born to be a warrior. It was this uncanny strength that put the other scientists in line, as well as Gaivahros.
The door latch clicked and the handle turned before the doorway opened, swinging inwards. A black boot thudded against the laminate flooring as a figure stepped past the threshold.
"I'm ho-me!" Gaivahros called out with a sing song-like voice, a big smile plastered on his face. Though he tried as best he could to clean some of the dirt and soil from his boots, there was no getting away from tracking some of it inside. The smell of dog fur almost overpowered the smell of the doctor's cooking.
"Gaivahros, where have you been?" exclaimed Kyobu, he cheeks flushed and breath short from working long shifts. "Doctor Marik wanted you back here ages ago! You're now twenty eight minutes and forty eight seconds late!"
Gaivahros gasped, with a mimicry of a shocked expression. "Oh, no! Say it isn't so! I thought I was only twenty eight minutes and forty two seconds late!"
The doctor growled at the Heran. "Do not take that cheeky tone with me, Gaivahros! You know perfectly well that you're still late, and that I have a very profound sense of time!"
The man chuckled as he made his way over to one of the counters, looking over a bowl of steamed vegetable that had close resemblance to cauliflower and broccoli. "I'm teasing, I'm teasing! So, mom, what have you—"
"That's "Doctor" to you while you're in this facility," she chided him before he could finish. "You must learn to be professional when it is needed. You'll need that kind of discipline as a warrior of Hera."
Gaivahros paused for a moment as they gazed at one-another. With a sigh, he nodded. "Yes, you're right. Sorry." Kyobu smiled a half-smile as she turned back around, continuing to knead the dough. Gaivahros hummed as he knelt down in front of an oven, peering through the glass window on the door. "So, doctor mom,"—Kyobu paused and narrowed her brow at that title—"what have you been up to today?"
There was a brief pause before she lightly shook her head. She took her hands away from the dough, reaching for a rolling pin. "Well, if you must know, I've been working alongside doctor Marik and some of his top colleagues in devising of a machine that would be able to expand the land mass of the asteroid." She jabbed at the Heran's side with the end of the rolling pin, causing him to let out a yelp and fall over. "And don't call me "doctor mom" again. That sounds weird."
Gaivahros winced as he rubbed his side. "Okay, okay, fine!" He let out a sigh before he got back to his feet, making his way to a small table that had a couple of chairs tucked under it. Taking one out, he took a seat, one leg crossed over the other and his arm slung over the back rest. "I'm sure grandpa can wait a little longer. A nice round thirty five minutes shouldn't be so bad."
Kyobu let out a sigh as she began to roll out the dough with the rolling pin. "You're always like this, Gaivahros. I know you like to be laid back and relaxed a lot of the time, but you need to start taking things seriously for once! It's not going to look good for you if you can't take simple orders and deliver on them, especially if you end up going into the Heran military! Seriously, why can't you just—" she paused as she turned to look at him. The man was as motionless as stone, with blank eyes staring at the gold rubber ball. Not even his fingers twitched as they held the globe in pace. The doctor's voice changed from one of impatient frustration to that of a calm concern. "Gaivahros? Are you okay?" She took her hands away from the counter, and turned to face him. She cleaned her hands on the white apron that hung over her waist as she approached, pulling out another chair and sitting down.
He didn't respond. His eyes continued to stare blankly at the globe, not wavering or blinking. After a moment, they shifted up at the doctor, glazed over and weary-looking. Though silent, they spoke a thousand words of his inner turmoil. "Every day, I wake up knowing that we will spend another day on this rock when home is oh-so-close. Every day, I wake up knowing that it's my fault that we're all here. And every day, I wake up knowing that I am the reason for people's frustrations, for their anger… perhaps even their hatred."
Kyobu's hands reached out, her hands wrapping around and fingers entwining with his. "That's not true, Gaivahros! One day, you'll see Hera, and one day you'll bring glory to your people! You won't have to—"
"I don't care about me. I've never known what Hera looks like or what it's like to live there. To me, this is my home. I'm talking about you, and everyone else here. Even if I do live up to your Lord's expectations, that doesn't mean he's just gonna let you come back. You would still be stuck here, in spite of accomplishing your mission." Gaivahros' hand tightened around the ball, the rubber creaking under the strain of his grip. "You would… be a sacrifice for me. Martyrs in my name. And I don't want that. I… I can't bear the thought of that…"
The doctor let out a sharp sigh, and then tugged at the man's arm. Gaivahros gazed up at her fully. "Listen to me, Gaivahros. No one here if frustrated at you because they think you're the reason why they were banished here. In fact, most of the people here are proud of what they have built here. To them, it is their home. And if anyone would be angry because of it, then it would be directed to doctor Marik. No, Gaivahros, they're angry because they expect you to be what you were born to be!" The woman's hands loosened around his. One of them reached towards his face, cupping his cheek in her palm. "Do you know why you were given your name? It means 'saviour of hope' in the Heran tongue. It wasn't so you could bring us back from exile. It was so you could bring back hope to those on Hera who are still feeling the after-effects of the wars they have had."
Gaivahros turned his gaze away for a moment. It felt so much like sweet talk that he didn't know whether it was the honest truth of the mask of a white lie. "What about doctor Jincho? He always seems to have a problem with me."
"What? Him? He's always in a bad mood over something or another. He's the kind of guy who would be angry at someone having a huge nose because they might try to steal his share of oxygen." She watched as Gaivahros gave a slight half-humoured chuckle. She smiled and giggled back at him. Her hands wrapped around his again, and gently placed them on the table between the two of them. "You know I love you, right? We all do. We just want you to achieve your destiny, and bring hope and dreams back to the Herans."
The Heran gave a small smile as his slung arm moved from the back rest of the chair, and placed on top of Kyobu's. "I… I know. Thanks."
The doctor continued to smile at him, holding his hands in hers as she took the moment to comfort him. The feeling was all too familiar to her as she had raised him for many years. Right here and right now, he didn't need a scientist. He needed a mother.
Suddenly she let out a gasp as she pushed herself from the table, bolting upright. "Oh! I almost forgot! I got you a present!" She made her way into a slow jog towards a nearby cabinet, taking out a small cardboard box from the shelf before putting it on the table. "I know you've been wanting something like this for a while now, and I managed to find some time to make it…"
Gaivahros let out a soft hum. He couldn't recall wanting anything recently. With a puzzled thought, he placed his fingers over the lid and removed it. His eyes lit up as he saw what was inside—a red, scarfed cape. He recalled wanting something like this a few months ago when he caught interest in some new Earth television show, and ended up asking the doctor to make one for him. With an almost feminine squeal, he dove his hands in and took it out, holding it by the scarf as the cape draped down almost to the floor. "Oh my god, this is awesome! Thanks so much, mom!" Before she could even ask him to try it on, it was almost over his head. The tall scarf sat upon his shoulders and covered the lower half of his face, while the cape flowed behind him. "So… How do I look?"
She snickered at him with a smirk. "A nice mix of cool and stupid. But more so cool."
The Heran grinned from behind the cloth. "Well, the saviour of hope needs to look the part, right?" He walked up to the doctor and wrapped his hands around her, holding her close for a hug as she reciprocated the feeling too. "Thanks, mom. And I love you too…"
"You're welcome, Gai. And happy birthday."
"What on Hera is taking the boy so long?" an elderly voice grumbled. Doctor Marik was quickly reaching the end of his patience. A thumb and forefinger rubbed across his bushy brow, the wrinkles of old age and stress showing clear crevices on his aging complexion. "I swear, that boy spends too much time playing with his newfound gadgets and listening to this new-age 'hip-hop' music, or whatever it is he listens to!" The doctor stood up from his large leather office chair, pushing it away from him. "Back in my day we had to play with straw dolls and wooden sticks, and if we wanted to listen to music we had to go to the city square! Seriously, the youth of today…"
"Please, Doctor Marik," another voice called out. Doctor Jincho, the man who had met with Gaivahros in the fields prior, had to quickly step in if he had any chance of stopping his boss from going on another 'back-in-my-day' tirade, "wait just a little longer. I'm sure he's just making sure the animals are okay. It is for the well-being of the hunters if the Direfang are well looked after." It was a farfetched excuse to make, and even he didn't honestly believe his own words.
"Half an hour!" exclaimed Marik as he hunched over a large computer console before him. A crooked finger flicked several switches in a row. Several huge circular lights lit up in a circular chamber ahead, the light glaring off of the glass window that separated it from the console room. "Are you seriously telling me it takes half an hour to clean and feed a few animals? Back in my day, if we didn't—"
"Yo, gramps! An energetic voice interrupted the doctor, much to the relief of the scientists in the room. Gaivahros skipped over the threshold and gave a small spin, letting his cape flow and spiral around.
The elderly man peered to the side before sharply swinging his head towards the caped Heran, his gaze enough to make most shudder in anxiety. "Gaivahros! Where on Hera have you—And what is that thing around your neck?" he yelled out, pointing a bony finger at the cloak.
"What? This? C'mon, don't tell me you don't like it! Doctor Kyobu made it for me. She thinks I look cool. And heroic. And it's pretty snazzy. Make me look like—"
"An imbecile!" snapped Marik. He gave a sharp exhale, grunting as he turned back to the console. With the press of a few button, panels in the wall of the chamber began to shift and slide. From gaps and partitions, several mechanical constructs marched out on heavily plated legs. Some of them had large limbs, while others had armaments and artillery grafted onto arms and shoulders. "Whatever, take it off. We don't need you causing a freak fire accident with that thing flapping about."
"Hey, come on, I ain't gonna take this off. This is part of my outfit!"
"Nonsense! You only wanted that so you could dress up as a super hero! You and this… "cosplay" thing you've been mumbling about for several weeks now!"
"Now that is simply not true! Okay, maybe a little—but still, this would be great to hide my identity if I were targeted."
"How the hell are you going to hide your identity if you're the only Heran with flowing black hair and bright green eyes?"
"Exactly! They won't know I'm a Heran! Seriously, who would have thought of a Heran that didn't look like a Heran? People would think I'm of a different race, and so my affiliation with you would go unnoticed.
Then if you were singled out, how do you think a flowing red cape is going to throw your pursuers off of your trail if they're looking for a blue-skinned humanoid with long black hair, with or without a red cape?"
"… Alright, fine, you've got me there. But seriously, I'm keeping it on. The saviour of hope has to look the part."
Doctor Marik conceded the argument with a drawn out sigh. Once more his thumb and forefinger rubbed against his brow, his eyes closed. "Just… Just get your arse in the chamber so we can begin…"
Gaivahros gave an audible snicker. He turned and made his way towards the door to his left, only a few feet from where he stood. His hand touched against a metallic black panel to one side of the doorframe, the surface lighting up under where his palm was placed. A light above the panel flicked on with a green color, and the door quickly slid open sideward. Stepping inside, he slowly strolled across the chamber until he stood in the middle. Though he was surrounded by several humanoid mechanical constructs and flanked by high mounted gunnery, Gaivahros was calm and collected, even doing some preparation stretched as the doctor continued to work his way through the console configurations.
"Sections one through six contained. Gauss turrets primed and ready. Landbreaker units are in position and active. Seigewalker units are in position and ready. Commencing tactical operation Alpha-Four-Stroke-Bee." The last few switches triggered a series of small lights along the top of the console, quickly switching from red to green in order. "Alright, Gaivahros, training will start—"
"Wait, wait, hold up, gramps!" the warrior called out in the middle of doing squats. "Not done yet!" Silence permeated the area as the elderly doctor waited for him to finish, though at this point his patience had run drier than a desert. "Okay! Good to go!"
"Alright! Training will commence—"
"Crap! Crap, hold on!" called out Gaivahros, holding up his left hand as indication for the doctor to pause, while his right hand reached into the pocket of his pants.
"What is it now, Gaivahros?"
"Music," he responded as he pulled out a small rectangular device. His other hand began to untangle a bundle of wire ending in small ear buds, then fed the ends under his shirt and placed them in his ears. His thumb began to press and swipe against the touch-sensitive screen. "Need music. Now… where the hell did I save it to…?"
The doctor hung his head and groaned. "I should have seen this coming from a mile away."
"Ah! There we go!" Gaivahros' thumb pressed on the screen a final time before sliding the device back into his pocket. "Okay, good to go for real this time!"
There was a pause between the pair of them. Slowly, almost hesitantly, Marik leaned towards the microphone, and hovered a finger over a large silver button. "… Training will commence—" his finger pressed the button down "—now."
The sounds of surging electricity and whirring gyros filled the chamber, echoing for several moments. The combat droids tilted and shifted arms and legs as they entered battle positions. The cannons that circled high along the walls rotated and fixated upon the Heran in the center.
Gaivahros let out a soft hum, his head bobbing slowly up and down to the rhythm of his music. One hand reached over to the wrist of the other, lightly tugging at it and clicking it, then doing the same to the other. The doctor was about to tell him to hurry up and make a move, but was quickly silenced as the warrior dashed from his spot to one side. Within a matter of seconds he was in front of one of the gun-mounted bots, driving a palm straight through its chest. The strike had taken out its main servo unit, causing it to crumple in a heap of metal and smoking components.
"♪I've… got… a power and a force that you've never seen before.♫"
The mounted cannons quickly swerved to where Gaivahros had repositioned to. A string of lights lined along the sides of their hefty barrels glowed a bright turquoise before firing huge masses of plasma. The four globes of kinetic energy flew with incredible velocity, enough to overwhelm any mortal's reaction time. A huge explosion erupted from the point of impact, taking out a few of the constructs within its blast radius. Heated metal plate and debris flung across the room, some of it colliding with the glass panel between the chamber and the control room, though no damage was done to it.
Smoke and the bright white glow of smouldering titanium hampered the cannon's sensors. They hadn't noticed that Gaivahros had anticipated the gunfire by sensing their energy output, and was able to jump away from the blasts before he was struck. The shockwave had propelled him high in the air to where one of the cannons was mounted. Landing on top of it, the warrior once more plunged his hand through the armor and into the framework, tearing out its mains and forcing it to shutdown.
"♪I've… got… the ability, of course, to even up the score.♫"
Gaivahros hopped onto the barrel, striding along it to the end before flipping forwards. His hands grasped against the angled edges of the muzzle and, with the momentum of his body and arms, tore the cannon from where it was bolted against the wall and flung it over his head, sending it crashing against the opposite cannon. The impact of metal on metal sparked the two of them, creating a reaction within their fuel cells and causing the two guns to explode. Huge panels of titanium flung about the chamber, with one sheet spinning and slicing into a third cannon, rendering it inoperative.
"♪No… one… could ever take me down.♫"
As Gaivahros landed, three melee units rushed towards him, flanking him from the sides and at the front. artificial muscles creaked and pistons snapped as their arms flung out from all sides, with clenched fists aimed at the head and torso. The Heran leaned back to avoid the simultaneous strikes from the sides, while an arm shifted forward to swat the strike from the front. With a close guard stance, the warrior began to block and parry and dodge the hail of metal fists that barraged in. The man showed no sign of falter or fatigue, and his movements were swift like water and wind. He was merely toying with them.
"♪The power lies on my si-i-i-i-i-ide!♫"
An arm swung down to shift the right-most strike down and away, then quickly pivoted to deliver a strong elbow to the side of the mech's head, sending it crashing to the ground, while his other arm blocked, then hooked around the wrist of, the left-most mech, holding it between his upper and forearm. His hand grasped the fist of the front one, holding it in place. His free arm flung outwards with an open palm, striking the abdomen of the front unit, sending it flying backwards and leaving a large hand-shaped indentation in its armor. A single, powerful side kick send the last one tumbling away, the force severing its arm that the warrior still had trapped.
"♪Go! Go! Saiya-Heran!♫"
The final cannon was able to gain a clear shot at the warrior now that enough of the smoke and smouldering debris had died down. With a deep hum of surging energy, it fired a shot at its target. Gaivahros didn't bother to make an attempt to avoid the gunfire. With a shift of his feet and pivot of his hips, he positioned himself to 'catch' the glowing orb with both hands, utilizing his own ki to hold it back from engulfing him. Twisting around with a full three-sixty motion, he used the projectile's and his own moment to swing it back towards the cannon. The orb collided with the cannon, exploding in a shower of white-hot energy and shattered mechanical remains.
"♪Go! Go! Saiya-Heran!♫"
The mech that he had taken down first sprung to its feet, attempting to blindside Gaivahros with a strike to the back of his head. The warrior made a quick duck to avoid the strike, and delivered an upwards kick that send the contraption high into the sky. Pushing off both feet, the Heran sprung into the air after his target, meeting it at the same level. A swift front somersault with an outstretched leg brought the robot crashing down to the ground as hardened heel connected with metal head. The impact alone caused its metal armor to split and crack as its back smashed into the ground, the force enough to make it bounce several feet back up. A tense blue fist buried itself into the mech's cranium, smashing it back against the hard floor. Toying with the robot still, Gaivahros picked it up by the head and stood it back into its feet, and proceeded to deliver strike after strike. Fist and palm and elbow connected with torso and head, the Heran beating on the metallic puppet as a kung fu master would a wooden dummy. In the end, so much damage had been done that the robot crumpled to the floor in a heap.
"♪Go! Go! Saiya-Heran! You mighty fightin' Saiya-Hera-an!♫"
The warrior had no time to relax and take a quick breather. Several gun-mounted mechs lined up, hailing the fighter with blasts of energy. Though the projectiles were quick, Gaivahros was much more agile. Ducks and twirls and flips and somersaults kept the warrior safe from fire with graceful and accurate movement as he made his way closer and closer to the group of machines. His hand gripped against the scarf of his cloak, pulling it over his head and flinging it over the faces of several of the mechs, blinding them. With only guns attached to their arms in place of hands, they could only pause and struggle to pull the cloth from other their optics.
With several of them disposed of for the time being, Gaivahros took the opportunity to wittle their numbers. A upward strike with the heel of his palm smashed and jolted the head of one of them backwards, the force enough to snap it from its external skeleton and leave it hanging by only a few wires. With no way to lock onto its target, the robot began to fire randomly forward. Gaivahros took the advantage and placed his back against the mech's front. Each arm hooked over the guns mounted to the mech's, and took control to aim them at the others. Bolts of plasma punched and seared through armor and chassis, taking out several other gunnery robots before the half-beheaded machine had completely shutdown.
"♪I… know… the fate of the Herans lie within my hands.♫"
Releasing the robots arms and pushing it away from him, the warrior sprinted towards the mechs that had been blinded, now that they had managed to get the cloak off of themselves. But by then Gaivahros had already gotten within striking distance. Several strikes between them had left them stunned and disorientated, though by no means dysfunctional. The Heran took it upon himself to hold back, wanting to have a bit of fun as he used them as metal punching bags.
"♪I… know… to only use my techniques for defense.♫"
Strike after strike hailed upon the machines, with barely any way to counterattack. Between Gaivahros' quick strikes and movements, none of them had the opportunity to get off a single shot, unable to lock on to him as he stepped and shifted between them. These units were made for long to -mid-ranged artillery, and had nothing to deal with close-ranged combat.
Or so the warrior had thought. It had taken a moment, but the mechs were able to shift from gunnery systems to 'crowd control' systems. The tips of their barrels began to surge with arcs or blue lightning, turning their plasma guns into high-voltage cattle prods. One mech struck out, but Gaivahros was agile enough to avoid it. Grasping at the base of the weapon, he swung it towards a second robot, causing arcs of lightning to surge throughout its entirety. Within a brief moment the robot jolted and whirred and hissed as internal components surged and overheated, causing it to fizz and pop. Small explosions caused it to smoke and catch fire before tumbling backwards like a stone statue, completely burnt out. As the mech was taken down, Gaivahros yanked at the weapon, tearing it from the mech's arm. The third mech tried to deliver a strike, but a deft dodge made it miss its target completely, and instead strike at the other robot.
"♪No… one… could ever take me down! The power lies on my si-i-i-i-i-ide!♫"
A quick jab of the cattle prod-like weapon caused the remaining gunnery mech to bolt upright in a T-like pose. Dropping the weapon, Gaivahros began to wail on this mech in the same manner he had done to the last melee unit. Fists and elbows left dents and crack in the plating.
"♪Go! Go! Saiya-Heran!♫"
A swift kick to the back of the robot's knee brought it kneeling before the warrior. A barrage of fists and forearms rained down upon the prone machine with no way to defend itself. Pieces of metal and circuitry and glass splintered from its cranium as it began to open up, gashes and crack splitting across the surface. Another swift kick at the other leg brought it down to both knees.
"♪Go! Go! Saiya-Heran!♫"
Gaivahros reached out with an outstretched leg to boot the robot on its back. Kneeling over it, the warrior mounted its chest and began to deliver a flurry of blows to its face. The punched were as strong and as fast as a pneumatic drill, pounding into the plate faster and faster. The metal split and fractured away. The skeleton inside buckled and snapped from the force. Even the components were left as nothing but pieces of glistening dust. Only a sprawling mess of circuitry and components remained by the time he was done.
"♪Go! Go! Saiya-Heran! You mighty fightin' Saiya-Hera-an!♫"
Only metal corpses and shattered remains were left within the chamber. Wires and circuitry sparked and crackled with dimming power. Bright white sparks flung from what little remained of the machines that only moments ago were fully operational. White-hot flames flicked from smouldering chassis from the fuel cells that were used to power them.
Gaivahros stood to hit feet and looked around. His eyes gazed down at the cape just a short distance from him. Picking it up, he placed it back over his head and dusted off the minute pieces of metal shards that clung to it. His hands reached for his ear buds, taking them out and letting them sit upon the scarf. "Hey, gramps! You wanna call this a draw, or…?"
For all intents and purposes, the training exercise went over pretty well. That was what Gaivahros thought, anyway. It didn't stop him from getting a chewing out from the old man, in any case. Doctor Marik had berated the warrior for toying with the machines during training, stating that the time wasted could have been used for additional exercises. And yet in the same breath he had chided Gaivahros for going overkill on them, and that it would take longer for the team to rebuild and upgrade the machines, as well as to create new training modules based on the data.
The old doctor's conflicting ideals caused Gaivahros to sigh as he ran his hands through his hair. At least he could take the time to relax and have a nice cold shower. The Heran scrubbed frantically around his bare body, soapy suds of shower gel almost masking his blue skin in pearlescent white. Soothing orchestral music filled the shower room and echoed off of the tiles from his device that sat on a shelf nearby.
"I dunno what's worse: trying to get the smell of sweat and metal off of me, or trying to get this damn motor oil from under my finger nails." he muttered to himself. His fingers laced between his long flowing hair before rinsing them off under the shower head. Glistening pieces of silver stuck to his skin before being washed away down the drain. "Actually, neither—getting all these fragments out of my hair is…"
It had taken a long while before he was happy with what he could get out. The shower door slide upon before the Heran stepped out, water dripping from his body and leaving a pool at his feet. He grabbed at a large towel from the rack, wrapping it around his waist before grabbing another to dry off his hair and body. He made his way over to a nearby sink, gazing into the mirror. He hadn't noticed before, but his fingers traced over lines and streaks near his nose and cheeks. Small scars had been left from where shrapnel had cut into his skin. Though he was happy to see that the cloak had kept the lower half of his face from being scuffed.
"Oh, wow. Another good reason to keep wearing my cloak. Maybe I should wear a mask. Oh, wait, a balaclava! Then I could look like a ninja!" He hummed for a moment, then shook his head. "Nah. No one would be able to see my awesome hair if I did that…"
The Heran stepped into the locker room as he continued to dry off his lower extremities. Tossing the towels onto a bench, he opened up one of the lockers to grab a fresh set of his clothes. He was pleasantly surprised to see his cloak hanging up too, having been washed so quickly.
As he idly began to clothe himself, the lights in the locker room went out, replaced with only a swirling red bulb that hung in the middle of the ceiling. A soft, muted siren could be heard from outside. Gaivahros sighed and hung his head. "Seriously? Another drill? I bet the old man spilled his coffee on the console again…"
The sound of a gunshot rung out from the corridors outside. The noise startled the Heran. No, this was definitely not a drill, he thought to himself. Something was wrong. Very wrong. Quickly he pulled up the cloak over his head and sprinted out the door.
Besides the siren going off, everything was quiet. Too quiet. usually one of the assistants would call over the intercom to state that it was a drill and to evacuate to the designated spot. But there was nothing.
No, there was something. The smell of plasma. It was overpowering, even over his own showered scent and washed clothing. Something had happened in the lab, and that gunshot was definitely not a coincidence.
A second and third gunshot sounded from deeper within the facility. Gaivahros hurried down the corridors, turning one corner after another, trying to follow the sounds as best he could. But they were so spaced apart that by the time he thought he was getting closer, he had ended up missing the mark. The warrior moved from one area to the next, moving forwards and backtracking as best as he could to find what he needed.
What he found shocked him. The man stood stiff as he gazed out into the T junction. The lifeless bodies of several assistants and scientists—his friends—were strewn about. Some lay on the ground, their faces buried in pools of their own blood. Others where leaned against walls and slumped over objects as they fell with their last breath. Some of them had body parts missing, those pieces even laid a distance from where they had died. The death and gore made the Heran sick to his stomach.
"What… Why…? Who could have—?"
The shots rung louder now. Now they were coupled with the frantic screams of survivors, until they were suddenly silenced. Heavy footsteps strummed and rumbled around the warrior. Deep, guttural voices could be heard amongst the noise, shouting orders and giving directions. One order rung within his ears and kept to his memory.
Find Omega. Leave no survivors."
He had to do something. There still had to be survivors in the facility.
As the drumming of heavy boots faded away, Gaivahros cautiously made his way to the end of the corridor, and found his way into the main control room. He saw more of what carnage and bloodshed had no doubt been plastered all over the facility. Several assistants lay dead on the floor and in chairs. A couple of them had been strewn about over the computer console, their blood smeared and streaked over the metal and glass window.
This was too much for Gaivahros. Blood rushed to his head, and he was beginning to feel faint. His body went limped and toppled against the doorframe. His eyes glazed over and shook as he gazed out upon the graveyard before him.
"Who would do this…? What are they looking—?"
A soft groan rumbled out from near the center of the room. Sparked to life with the thought of survivors, Gaivahros hurried over to where it had come from. Looking underneath a nearby desk, he was met with a badly hurt Heran. Doctor Jincho was able to avoid execution, yet was close to death's door. A large gaping wound poured blood from his chest, drenching his once pristine white lab coat in a waterfall of red and brown.
"Doctor Jincho!" exclaimed Gaivahros, reaching a hand over to the wounded scientist's shoulder. "Doctor Jincho, thank God you're okay! What—what happened to you? What's going on?"
The doctor's eyes slowly shifted in their sockets towards Gaivahros. His lips quivered, struggling to speak. "Gai… What… what are you doing here…?" the man's words were quiet and muted, blood choking his throat.
"What do you mean? What was I—?"
"You need… to get out of here! They're looking for you… You're their target…"
The notion gave Gaivahros pause. He looked up and around, looking out for whoever was after him. He turned back to Jincho. "Wait, no—I can't leave! I still need to find other survivors!"
"There are none! Don't you get it? There isn't…" The doctor hacked and coughed. Blood spurted from his mouth and onto his lap and the floor before him. "The bunker. Take… take the southern fire escape to the bunker below. There is… You'll find doctor Marik and doctor Kyobu there…"
"Then you're coming with me! We can all get out of this together! Just… just hold on a little longer… Please, Jincho…"
A small half smile crept across the dying doctor's face. A limp, shaking arm reached out, his hand placing with dead weight upon the warrior's shoulder. "It's too late for me… Gai… you need to go. Now. They can't take you… They can't…"
The doctor's hand slipped from Gaivahros' shoulder, hitting the floor between them. His head slumped to the side, resting on his shoulder.
Gaivahros stuttered. His whole body shook. frantically he grasped at the doctor's wrist, holding it in his hands, fingers tight around his wrist. "Jincho! Please, Jincho… d-don't joke around! Not now! Not now…" Tears welled in the Heran's eyes. His head hung down, his forehead pressed against the back of his friend's hand. The man sniffled and hicced as he tightened his grip. Slowly he loosened his fingers, and placed the doctor's hand in his lap. A hand reached over to his face, and closed his eyes. At least he looked peaceful now.
Wiping his tears from his eyes with a thumb, Gaivahros slowly got back to his feet. Jincho was gone. But at least he'd be able to save Kyobu and Marik. If they had made their way down to the bunker, then they must be safe. Very few people know the way to it. He leapt to his feet and hurried out of the control room, making his way towards the southern fire escape.
So many were dead. Every corridor, every corner, every step that Gaivahros took there was death in his wake. His mind was filled with thoughts that flickered in and out like a series of pictures on a film reel. His blood rushed and his heart raced. Every second counted now. He couldn't afford to stop and mourn for the friends and loved ones that had lost their lives this day.
The end of the corridor led into an expanse. A large, reinforced latch barred his way. This was the doorway to the southern fire escape, usually unlocked whenever the evacuation protocol was initiated, but this time it was locked. Whoever initiated the protocol had specifically left this door locked. Someone must have known that this was needed.
Gaivahros placed his hand upon the panel beside the door. The light above it flashed green, and the hatchway opened up. The escape route was a large S-shaped corridor, lined with bright orange lights. The warrior raced through it, heavy steps thudding and ringing out as he neared closer and closer to the other side. "I'm coming, mom! Gramps! I'm coming!"
He did. He had made his way to the bunker. But it was too late. His eyes widened as he saw the one thing he wished with all of his heart and soul that he didn't want to see. Doctor Kyobu lay dead, sprawled out on the floor in her own blood. Doctor Marik was leaned against a small console to the far side of the room, body lifeless.
The revelation broke him. The man collapsed to his knees, tears streaming down his cheeks. His body hunched over, his forearms pressed against the cold floor. His hands tightened into fists and shook as he wept over the deaths of his parents.
"I've failed!" he bellowed out from his tightened throat, almost choking on his words. "Everyone… Everyone is gone…"
"Gaivahros… You're here…"
That voice. No, he must have imagined it. But with the last shred of hope, Gaivahros looked out beyond his blurred vision. He saw sign of movement by the console. Doctor Marik was still alive. Quickly he sprung to his feet and dashed towards him. The mix of hope and despair made his legs give way, causing him to slide along the floor before kneeling before the old man. "Gramps! Gramps, you're—" He looked down, seeing a large gash across Marik's stomach. "No, please… Not you too! I've lost Jincho and mom already, I—Please, I can't lose you too…"
The old man coughed and groaned softly, looking up at Gaivahros. "Jincho… was still alive…?" A muted chuckle rumbled in his throat. "Was he… was he mad about dying? You know what he's like…"
It was a dark sense of humour, yet Gaivahros couldn't help but crack a small smile. "No… He seemed happy. At peace, for once…"
"Damn… I wish I could have seen that…" The doctor lurched forwards, but let out a sharp grunt as pain shot through his abdomen. "Gaivahros, everything here… There's nothing left for you here. It was only a matter of time before we were attacked. The Herans… have many enemies. They're after you, Gaivahros! You are our greatest weapon! If they can capture you, then they will use you as a tool against your own people…" The old man's eyes shifted beyond Gaivahros, towards the open area where Kyobu lay. "This bunker isn't just a munitions depot. Under here… is an escape shuttle. We spent many years developing it, but only ever had enough resources to build the one until we had completed our expansion programme. Take it, Gaivahros… Enter the pass code, and get out of here…"
"But… what is the pass code, doctor?"
"It's you, Gaivahros… You are the pass code… our saviour of hope…" Marik hacked and coughed, wheezing through blood-filled lungs. "Gai… I have always thought of you as but a weapon… but… deep down… I have always thought of you as my son… And I… love you… so much…"
The doctor's head hung down, his lungs releasing the last of his breath. Gaivahros hunched forwards, pressing his forehead against the doctor's. His arms wrapped around his shoulder, holding his close into one last embrace.
"… I love you too, dad…"
The man reclined back, taking one last look into the eyes of his creator, his father, as he leaned him back against the console. Slowly he stood to his feet, and turned to where his mother lay. Making his way over to her, he kneeled down and scooped her up in his arms. Blood still poured from an open wound, staining her coat. He looked into her closed eyes, and gave a heavy, sorrowful sigh.
"Mom… You always told me that I was too laid back… that I had to take things more seriously. I will. I've lost you, and dad… I've lost everything this day. But I will carrying on our legacy. I will fulfil my destiny. I will be our saviour of hope."
With heavy steps he made his way back to the console. Everything began to flash before his eyes, clearer than ever now. He saw the times when he would play in the facility. He saw the times when Kyobu would cook him breakfast, and bandage his wounds while he cried, and when she read him bedtime stories. He saw the times when he would play catch with the animals, and ride on their backs, and sleep in a pile with the Direfang when he was exhausted. He saw the times when he would work alongside Marik, and play cards with him, and gaze up at Hera upon the horizon, longing for the day when they could return home.
But now all he could do was looking upon the bodies of his parents as he placed them against the wall. He took each of their hands, and held them in his. He would always remember them, and hold them in his heart. He will use his love for his friends and family to push him forwards. Finally he placed their hands on the floor between them, a final embrace of his parents before he left.
Gaivahros walked over to the console, tapping away at the keys. A status screen popped up, showing the plans of the escape shuttle. A text bar appeared, asking for a pass code. A few moments and keystrokes filled the bar: Saviour of Hope.
The floor began to rumble, coupled with the sounds of vented hydraulics and pistons. The expanse began to open as sliding doors retracted. The tip of the shuttle began to peer through the floor as the shuttle platform rose from deep within the bunker. The dome ceiling opened up, bathing the interior with the bright orange huge of the sun's light reflecting off of Hera.
Gaivahros pulled open the latch and clambered inside. Various systems and monitors were scattered in front of the cockpit, Taking a seat in the chair, the door closed automatically behind the Heran. His fingers tapped on keys and flicked switched before the systems came online. The shuttle was already pre-programmed, showing a statistics screen of the shuttled route and destination. I was already programmed to fly to Hera.
There was no going back. Without hesitation, Gaivahros engaged the engines. The plasma-fuelled jets ignited in a goat of bright blue energy as the shuttle rumbled to life. The craft took off out of the bunker and past the dome. Gaivahros peered out from the portside window, gazing down at Asteroid M. He had left everything behind now.
Within moments the asteroid was but another spec of rock in the great expanse of space. Mentally exhausted, Gaivahros slumped back in his seat with a large sigh. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the ear buds, putting them in his ears before reaching for his device, flicking through the music and playing a choice song.
The shuttle suddenly jolted to one side, rocking the Heran against the interior wall. An amber light flicked on above him, and a status screen flickered on one of the nearby monitors. The damage report showed signs of exterior damage—the craft had been fired at. A second shot passed the shuttle off starboard, a near miss. Gaivahros glanced at the screen, and noticed that the autopilot function had been damaged. Racing against time, he opened up the ship's command prompt and began to tap away at the keys, issuing command lines to initiate nano-repair units.
He had expected another attack, but nothing came. Switching on the exterior cameras, he had noticed that the ships in pursuit had retreated. he had no doubt that they knew he was on board this shuttle. If they destroyed it, then they would lose what they came for. They couldn't afford that.
It took a while for the repair units to bring the autopilot back online. But by that time, Hera was already far away. Now the system was reconfiguring itself to locate a nearby planet with a hospitable environment.
The screen flickered, showing a large magenta planet. Planet Vegeta.
Gaivahros shook his head and leaned back in his chair. It wasn't the planet he was after, but at least he would be able to make a quick stop to repair and gather supplies before making his own way to Hera. Maybe seeing his 'distant cousins' would be able to bring some normality back to his life, he thought.
And he could perhaps try to find some information as to who his attackers were. To him, that was his main goal now. And their only purpose in life was to die by his hand.